Sitting in a chair beside his bed, the book in his hands long forgotten, Papyrus contemplated what he was going to do when Sans finally awoke from his semi-coma. Using diagnostic magic he was able to tell that Sans was in a state of magical hibernation, probably due to the damage he'd received the day before. Just thinking about the incident made Papyrus's magic flare with righteous anger. Chillby had done something so unforgivable he was surprised he had listened to Sans's plea and allowed him to live. Seeing the smaller skeleton stir, his expression one of discomfort, he allowed his rage to fade as he took deep, calming, breaths.
Slowly he was coming to realize that this Sans could never become his brother. That he had tried to make it so was foolish of him. But at the time he had been desperate. The one thing he lived for had been taken from him in the night and supplanted with a replica. Anyone would be furious to have their only love stolen from them, and a cheap replacement left in their place.
"You will probably never understand. Even if you could hear me, there is no way someone as soft as you could fathom the intensity of my feelings." With a sigh he stood, checked on Sans one more time, then left the room. Closing the door quietly he stood in the hall a moment, glaring at the floor and crossing his arms. Shaking his head to clear it a little he wandered down the stairs and into the back room, where his map of the underground was located.
Touching the three-dimensional pieces he remembered a time when Sans, his Sans, had woken him in the early morning. Though he had suffered through harsh criticism he insisted that Papyrus wake and come downstairs. Seeing as how his brother was taking the initiative for once he had complied, mostly out of curiosity. What he found was a huge map of the underground, painstakingly hand-drawn, and three-dimensional buildings sitting on top, where they should be. Taking a closer look he even found small tokens with images of every monster in the Underground, placed where they could usually be found during the day. There were few exceptions, those being small chess pieces carved to look like Papyrus and other prominent figures. Turning to look at his brother in surprise and awe he felt his heart thud heavily in his chest from the wide grin the smaller skeleton was giving him.
'Happy Birthday Boss!' Closing his eyes he let the memory fade. It was one of the only times he had ever given Sans praise. At least, to his face. Everyone knew how he felt about his brother to some extent. They just knew to keep their mouths shut and mind their own fucking business. Often he would speak of his brother's accomplishments to those he viewed as subordinates, and how if he ever got serious the underground would tremble in terror. But truth be told Sans was just too caring for his own good. No matter how cruel he became, no matter how many times he tricked or betrayed his brother, Sans would always trust him. It made him feel disgusted with himself at times. But he endured it all in stoic silence; as was fitting for a future ruler.
"Clinging desperately to a dream is so unlike me..." Picking up the piece shaped like himself he felt his resolve flare as he placed it inside the wooden Palace. If he were in charge then everything would change. He would be able to ensure that his brother was safe, happy, hidden away in the beautiful gardens he had seen there behind the large walls and rows of guards. Papyrus had only been to the palace once in his life, when he had been inducted into the Guards and sworn fealty to the King. A promise he had no intention of keeping.
Oh how he would love to rule the underground, crowning Sans as Prince and taking him as his only Consort. There he would feel safe enough to cherish Sans, like he deserved. Shower him with affection and gifts. Away from prying eyes and scheming minds.
Looking over the map he spied Chillby's Bar and growled low in his throat. How dare that disreputable, sniveling, swine, even think of touching his brother? If this was the first time this had happened he would leave the monster with just a warning. But if this had happened before he was going to kill the flaming bastard in the most agonizing fashion available.
Sweeping out of the room he grabbed his red cloak and donned it before rushing out of the house, like a bat from hell. It was only a short walk to the bar but any monster he passed moved clear out of the way, curious at what could have made the tyrannical guardsman so furious. When his anger was not aimed at them the monsters of the underground usually found what he was doing to somehow be absolutely fascinating. He had a strange kind of charisma in the way he spoke and behaved, like an uncrowned King. It was how he had attracted so many subordinates in such a short time.
Stopping in front of the door to the bar he aimed a well placed kick and knocked the door right off it's hinges. Stepping inside he compressed his magic until it was a visible aura around him, sharp and foreboding. Something no normal monster was capable of. The aura of intimidation surrounding him made those inside the bar, no matter how drunk, shrink away from him in utter terror. Trembling in booths and ducking beneath tables to keep out of sight, and out of mind. Behind the bar stood Chillby, motionless, as his eyes followed Papyrus's every move.
Grinning at the flaming monster he crossed the floor as if he was out on a leisurely stroll and stopped when he reached the bar. Leaning on the wood, so he was at the same height as the other monster, he reached out a gloved hand and grasped the front of Chillby's collar. Jerking him off of his feet he hurled the flaming monster over his shoulder in one fell swoop. As the he fell onto the ground Papyrus glared down at him regally before taking a seat on one of the stools. Chillby cringed as he grabbed his broken glasses from the floor, glancing around to see if anyone would come to his aid. Crossing one leg over the other the skeleton interlocked his fingers in his lap as more monsters gathered outside. Papyrus didn't mind their presence. In fact he was quite glad to have such a large audience. He wanted to ensure that no one would ever try to take advantage of his brother's weakness again.
"You've crossed me one too many times, Chillby. I've been lenient so far, considering I thought you an ally of my brother's and a good source of information. However... your recent actions have trampled over what little good will you had built up. Our alliance is hereby terminated. Now is the time to start begging for your miserable life." Chillby, doing the sensible thing, kept quiet and didn't get up from the ground. After a snort of derision Papyrus stood up from the stool and crossed the floor, ready to leave.
-You know... up until now, he liked the attention.- Papyrus stopped, hearing the other male's voice, and turned to glare balefully down at the bar owner as he slowly got up from the floor.
-Obviously you didn't care enough about him to give him the affection he sorely needed. Why do you think he always came running to me after dealing with your bullshit? It was my touch he begged for, not yours.- For a moment no one spoke. No one moved. No one even dared to breathe in that space. Before anyone could even blink Chillby found himself violently thrown through the glass window of the bar and out into the cold snow. Not even a moment later the wall exploded outward as Papyrus launched simultaneous bone attacks at it, making a hole big enough for him to walk through easily. Motioning at Chillby with his hand the monster's heart suddenly began to glow blue as his ability to move was taken from him. Dragging the fiery monster behind him in the cold snow he could hear the sizzle of flames dying and the hissing of pain. Stopping in front of the river he reached down and gripped Chillby by the throat. Lifting him over the water he held tight as monsters gathered around at a safe distance.
Curious he sent a jolt of magic through the monster, looking through his memories for his brother. What he saw there made him more than murderous. Chillby was right. His brother had come to realize that the monster behind the bar had a soft spot for him and would often exchange sexual favors for information. Papyrus wished he could say Chillby was forcing his brother but he knew that wasn't the truth. The tyrannical skeleton might have been a cruel, sadistic, bastard; but he was no fool. He would not turn a blind eye to the truth while it stared him in the face.
"I could end you." His magic flared again; confidence, power, and fury melding together to create a visage of sheer dread.
-P-please... sp-spare me. I'll work exclu-clusively for you, I s-swear. - Standing there with Chillby held above the river, an absolutely excruciating way for the fire monster to die, he stared deep into the other monster's eyes, purple magic flaring. Seconds melted into minutes before he finally made his decision. Tossing the monster to the ground in front of all the others he kicked the fallen bartender in the midsection, flipping him onto his back before stepping on his throat and glaring at the crowd.
"Let this be a lesson to you all. No one, absolutely no one, fucks with the Skeleton brothers. Especially Sans! If I ever catch you even looking at my brother again I will hunt you down and kill you like the worthless piece of shit you are." Pressing down on Chillby's neck to make his point he watched the gathered monsters as they stared in horrified silence. Stepping away from the downed monster, whose health was now only a few hp from death, he fixed his cape and turned, shoulders squared and head held high. Without even glancing at the other monsters, treating them as if they were beneath him, he walked toward the edge of the crowd. Monsters parted before him, scrambling to get out of his way, as he headed back toward his home.
Word would spread quickly and he needed to come up with a good plan if Undyne decided to come home early from her vacation to investigate the recent happenings in Snowdin. Once he was back inside the house he locked the door and hung up his cape. Feeling somewhat accomplished he walked back up the stairs and checked on Sans. Like before he was still sleeping, though he seemed to be a little less distressed. Giving him a small smile, the closest he could come to the warmth he knew Sans deserved, he stroked the smaller skeleton's head gently.
"No matter what happens I will protect you."
Note:
This chapter is shorter than the others, since I felt that it would do a lot better as a stand alone. But, I've already started on the next chapter so no worries.
My laptop has been bugging out ever since I let that tech guy check it out. He pulled the battery while it was still on and now my Windows Apps won't work, as well as the internet. I'm surprised FF still works but most of my other frequent websites just refuse to load. :/
I swear if he hooped my laptop I'm gonna be just as pissed as Paps.
I know. I'm terribly evil for making you sympathize and root for Purple. But it had to be done.
